Potential leader Jim Murphy has declared that senior figures will never behave like figures of popular entertainment again

Labour conducted itself like a “soap opera” when it was in power, according to
a member of Ed Miliband’s shadow cabinet.

Jim Murphy, hailed as a potential future leader, compared Labour’s behaviour
in office to popular entertainment, but declared that senior figures would
never behave in such a way again.

The shadow defence secretary said: “The Labour party ran itself as a soap
opera. You didn’t need to tune into ITV to watch Coronation Street or the
BBC to watch bloody EastEnders. There’s no appetite for any of that sh***
any more.”

Murphy’s intervention comes as shadow cabinet ministers prepare to accept
there were serious failures during Labour’s 13 years in power.

In speeches at the party’s annual conference this week Ed Balls, the shadow
chancellor; Liam Byrne, the shadow work and pensions secretary; and John
Denham, the shadow business secretary, are expected to admit shortcomings by
the previous administration.